New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Picks and Prediciton for Sunday April 12 2026
Use Code WWWC It's the regular season finale and the final game for New Orleans (26-55), when they travel to Minneapolis to meet Minnesota (48-33) in this Pelicans vs. Timberwolves prediction. These teams have met three times before, with the Pels winning the last game on Feb. 6, 119-115 on the road as an 8.5-point favorite. The Timberwolves won the other two games in December from New Orleans, but didn't cover either game. Check out more free NBA predictions at Winner and Whiners.
Trying to finish strong
A lot of teams that are in the lottery were trying to lose from almost the start. New Orleans is in a different situation because they don't have a first-round pick, thanks to a deal with Atlanta to get Deriq Queen. So Atlanta is going to benefit from the Pelicans finishing around the 8th spot before the lottery.
The Pels come into this finale having lost nine of the last 10 games. Their only win came against tanking Utah 156-137 on April 7. In their loss at Boston on April 10, rookie Jeremiah Fears had 36 points and six assists in 44 minutes. He's the reason New Orleans has a bright future or potentially one. Queen added 25 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks. Their two rookies had great games, but Zion Williamson didn't play due to load management. Williamson has played 62 games this season, averaging 21 points and 5.7 rebounds on 60% shooting, while Trey Murphy II leads the Pels with 21.5 points, shooting 47% from the field. What does New Orleans need to get to the next level? Improved three-point shooting would be nice as they rank 24th at 34.8%, while defense ranks 23rd in Adjusted Efficiency on DunksandThrees.com.
Ant is back
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points, while Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team with 23 points, leading the Timberwolves over Houston 136-132 on Friday. Edwards was dealing with a minor knee injury and missed three games. However, because Minnesota is locked into the sixth seed with no chance of moving up or down, the chances of Edwards playing on Sunday, along with some other key starters, are probably slim. Minnesota also could choose to play its starters for a limited amount of minutes.
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When it comes to injuries, the T-Wolves are pretty healthy with Naz Reid (shoulder) and Julius Randle (hand) the only players on the so-called injured list. Minnesota is ranked 10th in Adjusted Net Rating on DunksandThrees.com, while ranking 12th in Adjusted Offense and 9th in Adjusted Defense. Minnesota goes into the playoffs having won just three of their last eight games. This is a good basketball team, but for them to go far in the playoffs, they need to shoot free throws better (75.2%, 29th). They are also 19th in opponent offensive rebounding percentage.
Spread Pick and Prediction for Pels vs. Timberwolves
Pelicans vs. T-Wolves Odds and Picks
- New Orleans +10.5 (5 units)
I just don't see Minnesota risking playing most of their starters in a meaningless regular-season game. They have several guys nursing minor injuries and might as well sit them. New Orleans might as well play everyone, considering that they are not tanking for a higher draft pick. New Orleans has covered two of their last three games and all three against the Timberwolves this season. Minnesota is 1-3 ATS in their last four home games.
Over/Under Pick for Pelicans vs. Timberwolves
- Over 233.5 (4 units)
These teams have played overs in four of their last five meetings, including twice this season. Minnesota (10th in pace of play) has gone over in two straight and three of their last four games. New Orleans (11th in pace of play) has gone over in two straight games. On the road, New Orleans is allowing 120.2 points per game and teams are shooting 48.4% from the field against them.
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